Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Setsubun at Yoshida Shrine in Kyoto - Devils vs Exorcist


Setsubun is the Japanese tradition of driving away bad luck and welcoming in happiness. Oni - Japanese devils - represent physical evil who are driven away by beans thrown at them.

In earlier times, a person wearing a mask with four golden eyes would symbolically exorcise evil spirits from the Imperial Palace. This person was known as Hososhi. Here a Hososhi squares off against three Setsubun devils.

Setsubun at Yoshida Shrine is one of the most popular Setsubun events in Kyoto. this parade and performance takes place in the evening of February 2nd, the day before Setsubun proper.

cybershamans (karmapolice) / CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
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